Hamilton experience counts for nothing in F1 title fight - Verstappen

Change your timezone:
Hamilton experience counts for nothing in F1 title fight - Verstappen
Eight points separates Hamilton and Verstappen prior to the Belgian GP
Max Verstappen has dismissed suggestions Lewis Hamilton's experience of fighting for the F1 title in the past could be an advantage in the second half of this season.
Mercedes driver Hamilton has a record-breaking eighth championship in his sights as he heads into this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix with a slender eight-point lead over his Red Bull rival.
By contrast, this year is the first in which Verstappen has been a true title contender.
Asked if Hamilton's experience of managing a title challenge could be an advantage, Verstappen said: “Personally, I don’t think so.
"The only advantage you can really have is just if you have a faster car.
“In this sport, it is so dominant when you have a good car. There are so many good drivers in this sport but they don’t have the opportunities to fight at the front.
“If you have seven titles, or one, or zero, I think at the end of the day when you have spent a few years in F1, and especially more towards the front like the top five, you know that you have to try to finish every race.
“You know that you have to try and score the most available points every single weekend and I think all of us always try to do our best and race in the best possible way.
“So I don’t really see the advantage there.”
Red Bull "positive" ahead of season restart
Verstappen and Red Bull surrendered the lead in both the drivers' and constructors' championships at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
After registering just five points from the past two weekends in Britain and Hungary, Verstappen is raring to get back into action.
“We’ve had a lot of very good races," added Verstappen. "It’s just the last two that didn’t go our way [and that was] out of our control.
“I’m very positive. The team is looking forward to getting started again and there is still a lot of races to be held so let’s see how it goes.”
Related
More F1 news
Latest F1 news
Recommended by the editors
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton gearing up for F1 title showdown: 'Ferrari are pushing hard'
F1 Analysis
Adrian Newey is building an Aston Martin title winning car and here is the F1 star who will drive it
Latest F1 News
F1 boss calls for 48-race season
Fuji Speedway
Driver suffers horror 190mph crash after taking off like a plane at former F1 track

Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton ridiculed as 48-race plan revealed
- 25 minutes ago
F1 star announces engagement with gorgeous proposal pictures
- Yesterday 22:30
Red Bull F1 design chief outlines plan to win in 2026
- Yesterday 21:45
Lewis Hamilton gearing up for F1 title showdown: 'Ferrari are pushing hard'
- Yesterday 20:54
Rachel Brookes breaks silence on Sky Sports F1 exit
- Yesterday 19:45
Adrian Newey is building an Aston Martin title winning car and here is the F1 star who will drive it
- Yesterday 18:45
Most read
Max Verstappen signs deal with McLaren - but there’s a twist
- 16 july
Red Bull make decision on $3bn sale of F1 team
- 21 july
Kimi Antonelli is being sued by former manager with links to iconic F1 team
- 27 july
FIA announce Lewis Hamilton penalty verdict at Belgian Grand Prix
- 17 july
Aston Martin F1 owner Lawrence Stroll sends message to team after breakthrough weekend
- 26 july
F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton skips drivers meeting as F1 champion hit with penalty verdict
- 26 july
Related news
Jos Verstappen left 'fuming' after Sky Sports F1 interview
Max Verstappen's Red Bull triumph triggers major pivot against F1 rivals
Lewis Hamilton backed by Sky F1 star after tense exchange at Belgian GP
Italian media hand Lewis Hamilton SHOCK rating after bruising Belgian GP
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Lewis Hamilton
- Charles Leclerc
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Franco Colapinto
- Pierre Gasly
- Isack Hadjar
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Carlos Sainz
- Kimi Antonelli
- George Russell
- Oliver Bearman
- Esteban Ocon
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Liam Lawson
- Arvid Lindblad
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Valtteri Bottas
- Sergio Pérez
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page
Realtimes Network
- Authors
- Privacy and Terms
- RSS
- Contact
- Advertise
- Android
- iOS
- Publishing principles
- Corrections policy
- Ownership & funding
- F1 Tickets
- Privacy
Copyright (©) 2017 - 2026 GPFans.com
Realtimes Network












